Small deciduous flowering tree native to Eastern Asia.
Simple, opposite oval-shaped leaves, showy white flowers and large berries which are pink and soft when ripe.
Flowers in late spring and its fruits ripen in early fall.
Resistant to anthracnose, a common disease affecting dogwood species
Ddoes well in a variety of conditions such as acidic soil, full and partial sun, and moist conditions
Hardiness zones 5-8
Sentimental and Symbolic Value
Korean dogwoods are famous for their beauty, as well as for a particular sense of exoticism that they give off. Hailing from Eastern Asia and having been brought to the US during the height of Orientalism, they were often used as displays of wealth and open-mindedness. This trend somewhat continues today, with the tree carrying connotations of novelty and wanderlust.
The dogwood has a particularly strong connection to Christianity as a symbol of rebirth, hope, and love. It is said by some that the cross upon which Christ was crucified was made of dogwood.
Specimen photographed found at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Part of the Urban Trees assignment (9/29/2021).
Plant History and Etymology
Cornus comes from the Latin "cornus" meaning "horn", and kousa is a transliteration of its Japanese name. The tree is most commonly used as an ornamental tree, but its fruits are also prized for their sweet, creamy taste and for making jams, wines and juice. They were introduced to the United States in 1875, and they have since naturalized in New York. They are sometimes found in forests along the east coast, and are somewhat outcompeting the native Cornus florida due to its competitive edge of being disease-resistant.
Design Considerations
The Korean dogwood has year-round interest, from its showy white and yellow flowers in the spring, its large fruits in the summer and fall, leaves which turn purple and red in the fall, and its peeling, brownish-gray bark in the winter. Its shape changes from conical to rounded as it ages, with a mature height of about 20-30' and mature width of 15-20'. The tree is commonly used by various bee species and songbirds for food and nesting and squirrels and other small mammals also eat the fruit. Like most dogwoods, it is fairly low maintenance, but fruit debris will be an issue if it is planted near a path or road.
Sources
“Kousa Dogwood (Japanese Dogwood) Tree on the Tree Guide at Arborday.org.” 2021. Arborday.org. 2021. https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=830.
“USDA Plants Database.” 2021. Usda.gov. 2021. https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=COKO2.
“Dogwood Flower – Meaning, Symbolism and Colors.” 2021. Flowermeanings.org. 2021. https://flowermeanings.org/dogwood-flower-meaning/.
“Cornus Kousa (Chinese Dogwood, Kousa Dogwood) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.” 2021. Ncsu.edu. 2021. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cornus-kousa/.
“The Woody Plants of Korea (한국의 수목) | to Aid Persons Interested in the Study and Identification of the Woody Plants of Korea.” 2015. Myspecies.info. 2015. https://florakorea.myspecies.info/en.